The Saxon Goddess Ostara (pronounced “oh-STAR-ah”) is the Goddess of Spring. As such, she is a fertility Goddess. This fertility also has an aspect of resurrection, as she brings new life to the Earth after the death of the winter months. Her name means “Goddess of the East,” and she is therefore also Goddess of the Dawn. Many Ostara celebrations begin at sunrise for this reason.
Ostara is the Saxon version of the Babylonian Goddess Ishtar, and Ishtar is the Babylonian version of the Egyptian Goddess Isis. Ostara’s Feast Day was Christianized to “Easter,” and many of the trappings associated with the Christian holiday are actually Pagan in origin.
As a fertility Goddess, eggs are one of the symbols associated with her. Rabbits and hares, known for their reproductive talents, are also symbols of this holiday. Both of these traditions are pre-Christian in origin. All grains are also sacred to Ostara, so breads are often left on the altar as offerings to her.
Invoke Ostara when a fresh start is needed, or when you hope to achieve a new understanding of a problem. If Ostara comes to you, be prepared to blossom anew.
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